Scottish Livestock Vigilance Over Bluetongue

12/09/2007

Scotland's farmers are being urged to be on guard for a serious animal
disease that has re-emerged in the Northern Europe. Bluetongue, an
insect-borne disease which affects sheep in particular, has spread into some
previously unaffected areas and now threatens the UK. With cases now
running into thousands on the Continent, NFU Scotland is calling for the
flexibility to adopt tough protection measures.

Bluetongue - which does not affect humans - was confirmed in Germany,
Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg for the first time ever in
the summer of 2006 and cases have re-appeared this year in even greater
numbers. Until very recently, the disease was confined to the tropics
and sub-tropics. Anecdotal reports suggest mortality rates in some
sheep flocks are over 40%. Cattle, like all ruminants, can be
affected, however their most significant role in the spread of the disease
is as a reservoir for the virus. Because bluetongue is spread by
vectors (i.e. midges), and not through animal to animal contact like foot
and mouth disease, culling is only really effective in small localised
outbreaks.

NFUS believes that a combination of Government and industry action
could help reduce the threat to Scotland. It is encouraging farmers
not to import animals into Scotland if they are near a restricted zone or
likely to travel through one (currently, live animal exports from restricted
zones are banned, but other animals can travel through such zones for
export). The Union understands EU vets are considering lifting the ban
on live exports from restricted zones. NFUS want flexibility for
member states, and regions with them, to prohibit movements from areas
affected by the disease if deemed necessary.

NFUS Vice President Nigel Miller said:

"Having just eradicated foot and mouth from the UK again, the thought
of having another serious animal disease within these shores is
demoralising. Bluetongue is far harder to control than foot and mouth
because we can't control the movements of midges. The hope had been
that when the insects on the Continent died over winter, the disease would
die out with them, but this has not happened. The stories of the
effect of the disease on the Continent are horrendous.

"The death rates in sheep that could accompany bluetongue would be
horrific for the industry here. Even though cattle are less affected,
lower fertility rates and milk yields would carry a heavy price.

"The risk of it reaching the UK is increasing with every move of this
disease into new areas. The trade in live animals coming into the UK
from around the restricted zones is significant enough for it to be a
disease risk. I would urge our members not to import live animals that
are either close to restricted areas or likely to travel through
them. Likewise, if EU vets want to lift the ban on exports
directly from restricted areas, they should give our own vets and government
the power to prohibit such movements if deemed necessary."